Pelicans vs Clippers Prediction NBA Picks Experts 4/1

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Game Preview: LA Clippers vs New Orleans Pelicans

On April 1, 2023, the LA Clippers will travel to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans in an NBA matchup. Both teams are fighting for playoff spots, making this a crucial game for their postseason hopes. The Clippers come into the game with a 41-36 record, sitting at 5th place in the Pacific division. Led by star forward Paul George, LA has had an up-and-down season and will need a win in New Orleans to continue their push for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Pelicans are 39-38 and in 3rd place in the Southwest division. Guard CJ McCollum has had a breakout season for New Orleans, helping to carry the team on both ends of the court. The Pelicans will look to defend home court and secure a spot in the postseason with a win over the Clippers. This matchup has the potential to be a high-scoring affair, as both teams possess strong offenses. The Clippers rank 20th in the league in points per game, while the Pelicans sit in 15th place. Defensively, New Orleans has the edge, ranking 7th in the league in points allowed per game. Overall, this game will be an exciting battle between two talented teams fighting for a spot in the playoffs. Will the Clippers be able to top the Pelicans on the road, or will New Orleans defend their home court and secure a postseason berth? Only time will tell.

Clippers: Offensive Analysis

The Clippers have been struggling on the offensive end recently, averaging just 113.3 points per game, which ranks 20th in the league. They will need to improve their scoring output if they want to secure a win against the Pelicans. One area where the Clippers have been struggling is their three-point shooting. While they shoot well from beyond the arc at 38.3%, they are only attempting 33.5 three-pointers per game, which ranks 14th in the league. The Clippers will need to take advantage of the Pelicans' weak three-point defense, which allows opponents to shoot 36.4% from beyond the arc. The Clippers also struggle to get to the free-throw line, ranking 10th in the league in free-throw attempt rate at 0.278. This could be a problem against the Pelicans, who tend to foul a lot and allow opponents to shoot 23.6 free throws per game. However, the Clippers excel in sharing the ball, averaging 23.8 assists per game, which ranks 22nd in the league. This could be an advantage against the Pelicans, who give up 24.8 assists per game. If the Clippers can move the ball effectively and find open shooters, they may be able to boost their offensive output. Overall, the Clippers will need to improve their three-point shooting and find a way to get to the free-throw line more often to secure a win against the Pelicans. With their strong ball movement, the Clippers have the potential to score enough points to come out on top.

Clippers: Defensive Analysis

Going into the April 1st game against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Los Angeles Clippers will have to rely heavily on their defense to secure a win. The Clippers currently rank 12th in the league in points allowed per game at 112.8 and have been strong defensively all season. Led by players like Paul George and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers have been able to limit their opponents' scoring opportunities and force turnovers. In terms of specific defensive stats, the Clippers excel in areas such as blocks per game (4.4, 20th in the league), steals per game (7.2, 16th in the league), and opponents' three-point percentage (36.4%, 19th in the league). However, they struggle in areas such as personal fouls per game (19.5, 10th in the league) and turnovers per game (14.3, 18th in the league). The Clippers will need to focus on limiting the Pelicans' scoring opportunities, particularly in the paint where they allow an average of 50.8 points per game (19th in the league). They will also need to work on limiting their fouls and turnovers, as both can lead to easy points for the opposition. If they can continue to play strong defense and clean up their mistakes, the Clippers have a good chance of coming out with a win against the Pelicans.

Pelicans: Offense Analysis

The New Orleans Pelicans are known for their explosive offense led by their star player, CJ McCollum. However, in the upcoming game against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Pelicans will face a tough challenge as they go up against a strong defensive team. In this offensive analysis, we will take a closer look at the Pelicans' strengths and weaknesses and how they can overcome the Clippers' defense. Points/Game: The Pelicans are averaging 114.2 points per game which is ranked 15th in the league. However, they will need to step up their offensive game against the Clippers who have a strong defense. Three-Point Shooting: The Pelicans have struggled with their three-point shooting, with a 36.3% success rate which is ranked 15th in the league. They will need to improve this area of their game to create more spacing and scoring opportunities. Assists/Game: One of the Pelicans' strengths is their ability to share the ball and create scoring opportunities through their proficient passing game. They are averaging 26.0 assists per game which is ranked 9th in the league. They will need to continue this trend to break down the Clippers' defense. Rebounding: The Pelicans have been strong on the boards this season, averaging 51.9 total rebounds per game which is ranked 10th in the league. They will need to keep up their strong rebounding performance to limit the Clippers' second-chance points. In conclusion, the Pelicans' offense has several strengths that they can utilize in the game against the Clippers. However, they will need to improve their three-point shooting and take advantage of their passing game to overcome the Clippers' strong defense. If they can execute their game plan effectively, they have a good chance of coming out with a win.

Pelicans: Defensive Analysis

The Pelicans will be facing off against the Clippers on April 1, 2023. This game will be a tough test for the Pelicans, as the Clippers have a strong offense led by Paul George. In order to come out on top, the Pelicans will need to play strong defense throughout the game. Looking at the stats, the Pelicans have a better defense than the Clippers in terms of points allowed per game and average score margin. However, the Clippers have a better defense when it comes to opponent points per game and average score margin. This shows that both teams are capable of playing strong defense, making it crucial for the Pelicans to bring their A-game defensively. One key to the Pelicans' defensive success will be their ability to limit the Clippers' fastbreak points. The Clippers tend to push the pace on offense and are adept at getting out in transition. Therefore, the Pelicans will need to be alert and hustling back on defense to prevent easy buckets. Another area the Pelicans will need to focus on defensively is limiting the Clippers' three-point shooting. The Clippers have a high three-point percentage, but the Pelicans have a solid defense in that area. They will need to continue contesting shots and making it difficult for the Clippers to get comfortable from beyond the arc. Finally, the Pelicans will need to focus on getting stops in the fourth quarter. The Clippers have a strong offense and can put up points in a hurry. It will be important for the Pelicans to buckle down defensively and make key stops in the final minutes of the game. In conclusion, the Pelicans will need to bring their best defensively in order to come out on top against the Clippers. They will need to limit fastbreak points, contest three-pointers, and get key stops in the fourth quarter. If they can execute defensively, they will have a good chance of winning the game.

Injury Report Analysis

The Clippers have two players listed on their injury report for the upcoming game against the Pelicans. Marcus Morris Sr. is out with no specific return date mentioned, while Brandon Boston Jr. is also out with no return date mentioned. Kawhi Leonard is listed as doubtful for the game, though there is still a chance he could play. On the other hand, the Pelicans do not have any injured players listed on their injury report for the game against the Clippers. This gives them a clear advantage in terms of having a full roster available for the game. Injuries can significantly affect the outcome of a game, especially if a team's key player is unable to play. In the case of the Clippers, their chances of winning the game against the Pelicans will be hampered if Leonard is unable to play. Overall, the Pelicans have an advantage over the Clippers when it comes to injuries, and this could play a crucial role in the outcome of the game.

Betting Trends Analysis

The Clippers and the Pelicans have had similar ATS records this season, with the Clippers going 39-38 and the Pelicans going 37-39-1. However, in their head-to-head matchups, the Pelicans have won both games and covered the spread in each of them. In terms of Over/Under trends, the Clippers have gone over the total in 41 of their 77 games this season, while the Pelicans have gone over in 45 of their 78 games. When these two teams have faced each other, the over has hit in both games. Looking at recent form, the Clippers have won three of their last five games, but have struggled defensively, allowing 122 points per game over that span. The Pelicans, on the other hand, have won four of their last five games and have been playing solid defense, allowing just 100 points per game over that span. Overall, the Pelicans have been the more consistent team in terms of covering the spread in head-to-head matchups and playing solid defense recently. However, both teams have shown the ability to score points, so the over could also be a good bet.

Prediction: Pelicans win in a close game

Both teams are fighting for a playoff spot, making this a crucial game. While the Clippers have a better record, the Pelicans have won both head-to-head matchups this season. With no injured players and a solid defense, the Pelicans have a good chance of coming out on top. 

Pick: Pelicans (+3.5)